But Perry could just be facing reality. The national unemployment rate is above 9%, where it has been stuck since May 2009. And no president can wave a magic wand and create jobs.

Perry's campaign said Monday that the governor's broader economic plan, released just last week, has the potential to create jobs beyond 2.5 million. A spokesman declined to pinpoint exactly how many jobs, but said the campaign expects the plan to spur significant growth.

President Obama is having a particularly tough time on the employment front, with a massive jobs hemorrhage early in his term resulting in more than 2 million jobs lost at last count.

While that number is starting to come down, the economy is still producing jobs at a relatively slow pace. The latest report card will be issued on Friday. Economists surveyed by CNNMoney expect unemployment held steady at 9.1% in October, as the economy added about 102,000 jobs.

If Perry does bump his jobs promise to a higher level, he will have company. Rival candidate Mitt Romney has already promised his economic plan will create 11 million new jobs over four years.